Editing Clayton Yeutter

{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Clayton Yeutter
|image        = Clayton Yeutter, 23rd Secretary of Agriculture, February 1989 - March 1991..jpg
|office       = [[Counselor to the President]]
|president    = [[George H. W. Bush]]
|term_start   = February 1, 1992
|term_end     = January 20, 1993
|predecessor  = [[Edwin Meese]] (1985)
|successor    = [[David Gergen]]
|office1      = Chair of the [[Republican National Committee]]
|term_start1  = January 25, 1991
|term_end1    = February 1, 1992
|predecessor1 = [[Lee Atwater]]
|successor1   = [[Richard Bond (RNC)|Richard Bond]]
|office2      = 23rd [[United States Secretary of Agriculture]]
|president2   = [[George H. W. Bush]]
|term_start2  = February 16, 1989
|term_end2    = March 1, 1991
|predecessor2 = [[Richard Edmund Lyng]]
|successor2   = [[Edward Rell Madigan]]
|office3      = 9th [[United States Trade Representative]]
|president3   = [[Ronald Reagan]]
|term_start3  = July 1, 1985
|term_end3    = January 20, 1989
|predecessor3 = [[Bill Brock]]
|successor3   = [[Carla Anderson Hills]]
|birth_name   = Clayton Keith Yeutter
|birth_date   = {{birth date|1930|12|10}}
|birth_place  = [[Eustis, Nebraska|Eustis]], [[Nebraska]], U.S.
|death_date   = {{death date and age|2017|03|04|1930|12|10}}
|death_place  = [[Potomac, Maryland|Potomac]], [[Maryland]], U.S.
|party        = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse       = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Jeanne Vierk|1952|1993|end=d.}}
* {{marriage|Cristena Bach|1995}}
}}
|children     = 7
|relations     = 9 (grandchildren)
|education    = [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]], [[Master of Science|MS]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])<br>[[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]
}}
'''Clayton Keith Yeutter''', [[ONZM]] ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|aɪ|t|ər}}; December 10, 1930 – March 4, 2017)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/us/clayton-yeutter-dead-us-trade-negotiator.html |title = Clayton Yeutter, Blunt Negotiator of Intricate Trade Deals, Dies at 86 - The New York Times|newspaper = The New York Times|date = March 9, 2017|last1 = Slotnik|first1 = Daniel E.}}</ref> was an American politician who served as [[United States secretary of agriculture]] under President [[George H. W. Bush]] from 1989 to 1991 before serving as counselor to the president in 1992. He served as [[United States trade representative]] from 1985 to 1989 and as [[Republican National Committee#Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Republican National Committee|chairman]] for the [[Republican National Committee]] from 1991 until 1992. Yeutter was employed as a senior advisor at the international law firm [[Hogan Lovells]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]  He additionally founded the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance at his alma mater, the [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]]. The university subsequently published his biography, ''Rhymes with Fighter''.

Yeutter was born in [[Eustis, Nebraska]]. Yeutter was a graduate of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from which he received a multiple degrees in agricultural economics. Yeutter later served as [[Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs|assistant secretary of agriculture for marketing and consumer services]] from 1973 to 1974, [[Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services|assistant secretary of agriculture for international affairs and commodity programs]] from 1974 to 1975, and [[Office of the United States Trade Representative|deputy special representative for trade negotiations]] from 1975 to 1977.

==Early life and education==
Yeutter was born in [[Eustis, Nebraska]], on December 10, 1930,<ref>{{cite news|last=Bernstein |first=Adam |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/clayton-yeutter-chief-us-trade-negotiator-and-agriculture-secretary-dies-at-86/2017/03/06/826277b6-027a-11e7-b9fa-ed727b644a0b_story.html |title=Clayton Yeutter, chief U.S. trade negotiator and agriculture secretary, dies at 86 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2017-05-30}}</ref> during the Nebraska [[Dust Bowl]] and the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="nyt-19881215" /> Despite a successful career in government and politics, Yeutter expressed a continued desire to remain close to his upbringing. As Deputy Trade Representative Yeutter stated, "I once wanted to stay in Nebraska and be a successful farmer. There are days when I get a yearning to return."<ref>Clyde H. Farnsworth, "[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/24/business/white-house-point-man-clayton-k-yeutter-enforcing-reagan-s-new-trade-policy.html?scp=7&sq=clayton%20yeutter&st=cse#%20 Enforcing Reagan's New Trade Policy]," ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 24, 1985.</ref>

Yeutter graduated from [[Eustis High School]] in 1948. He then attended the [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]] and was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clayton|first=Yeutter|title=Master Builders of FarmHouse|url=http://farmhouse.org/master_builders.htm|publisher=FarmHouse International Fraternity|access-date=July 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127154746/http://www.farmhouse.org/master_builders.htm|archive-date=November 27, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In 1952 Yeutter graduated with a B.S. "With High Distinction", the highest scholastic honor given by the University of Nebraska. He also ranked first in the College of Agriculture graduating class and was named the "Outstanding Animal Husbandry Graduate" in the United States.<ref name="nyt-19881215">{{cite news|last=Farnsworth|first=Clyde H.|title=Expert on Farm Issues: Clayton Keith Yeutter|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/15/us/man-in-the-news-expert-on-farm-issues-clayton-keith-yeutter.html?scp=3&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=April 30, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 15, 1988}}</ref>

Upon graduation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which coincided with the [[Korean War]], Yeutter enlisted as a Basic Airman in the [[United States Air Force]]. While enlisted he earned credits under the G.I. Bill to attend graduate school.<ref name="nyt-19881215" /> From the completion of his enlistment in 1957 until 1975 Yeutter worked as the operator of a 2,500-acre farming enterprise in central Nebraska. He also continued to serve in the active reserve until 1977.

During an overlapping six-year period beginning in January 1960, Yeutter worked as a faculty member within the Department of Agricultural Economics at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska. While working within the Department of Agricultural Economics Yeutter completed extensive graduate work. He completed one semester of graduate studies in agricultural economics at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] in 1960. After entering the [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law|College of Law]] at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Yeutter served as an editor of the ''Nebraska Law Review''. In 1963 Yeutter graduated ''[[cum laude]]'' with a J.D. and ranked first in his graduating class. While Yeutter continued to work as a faculty member he also completed a Ph.D. in agricultural economics by 1966. While completing his J.D. and Ph.D., Yeutter taught agricultural economics and agricultural law part-time. After completing his J.D. Yeutter taught full-time from 1965 to 1966.

==Professional career==
Yeutter began his professional political career as the [[chief of staff]] to the [[governor of Nebraska]] in January 1967. During the following two years he managed coordination between the governor's office and the Department of Agriculture and the numerous state educational institutions. Additionally, he was responsible for lobbying Governor [[Norbert T. Tiemann|Norbert Tiemann]]'s legislative program through the [[Nebraska legislature]]. In September 1968 Yeutter left public service to become the Director of the University of Nebraska Mission in Colombia. At the time it was the largest agricultural technical assistance program in the world. The mission involved six Midwestern land-grant universities funded by [[United States Agency for International Development|U.S. AID]], the [[Kellogg Foundation]] and the [[Ford Foundation]]. The participating universities provided agricultural assistance to the [[National University of Colombia]] and the Colombian Agricultural Institute, which approximated the [[United States Department of Agriculture]].

After returning from Colombia, Yeutter served as Administrator of Consumer and Marketing Service within the [[U.S. Department of Agriculture]] from October 1970 until December 1971. In January 1972 Yeutter was assigned to two positions in the reelection campaign of President [[Richard Nixon]]. He served as the nationwide director of agriculture and as one of ten regional directors. Following Nixon's reelection, Yeutter was appointed to Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Consumer Services within the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January 1973. In March 1974 Yeutter was appointed [[Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services|Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs]]. As Assistant Secretary, Yeutter was in charge of negotiating an end to a trade war between the United States and the [[European Economic Community]] over cheese subsidizes.<ref name="greenhouse">{{cite news|last=Greenhouse|first=Steven|title=A Tough Trade Negotiator|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/04/business/man-in-the-news-a-tough-trade-negotiator.html?scp=28&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 4, 1985}}</ref>

In June 1975 Yeutter shifted from the Department of Agriculture to the [[Executive branch of the United States#Executive branch|Executive Office of the President]], in which he served as Deputy Special Trade Representative. In this position, Yeutter worked as an ambassador in trade negotiations with foreign countries. In February 1977, shortly after [[Gerald Ford]] vacated the presidency, Yeutter exited public service.

In April 1977 Yeutter became a senior partner at the law firm Nelson, Harding, Yeutter & Leonard, which was primarily located in [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], [[Nebraska]]. He continued to work at the firm until June 1978.

Yeutter served as president and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of the [[Chicago Mercantile Exchange]], the world's second-largest [[futures exchange]] at the time, from July 1978 until June 1985. During that period, the trade volume of agricultural, currency, and interest rate futures more than tripled. While serving as president, Yeutter negotiated the use of the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]] index for futures and options trading. He also encouraged European investors to invest in currency futures and options at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.<ref name="greenhouse" /> More than 400 visits to the exchange by members of Congress during Yeutter's tenure provided him with political experience that which would become especially valuable when he worked directly with Congress between 1985 and 1993.

===United States Trade Representative===
After working for eight years in the private sector, Yeutter returned to public office in July 1985. After Reagan's nomination, Yeutter was confirmed by the Senate as [[Office of the United States Trade Representative|U.S. Trade Representative]] on June 28, 1985. He succeeded [[Bill Brock|William E. Brock]], who was named [[United States Secretary of Labor|Secretary of Labor]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nation |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-28-fi-1573-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 28, 1985 |access-date=June 2, 2011}}</ref> While holding the position Yeutter helped pass the 1988 Trade Bill through Congress, completed the [[Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement]], managed the initial negotiations regarding the [[Uruguay Round]] of the [[General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade]] and used American trade laws to open foreign markets to American goods.<ref name="nyt-19881215" />

Yeutter was perceived to be an outsider because of his inexperience interacting with Congress to develop legislation and because he was only mildly acquainted with the President. These characteristics contrasted with his 11 predecessors, who possessed greater political credentials and a closer relationship to the President. In fact, Yeutter argued that his independence from Reagan reflected his success in the position.<ref name="nyt-19880929">{{cite news|last=Farnsworth|first=Clyde H.|title=Negotiating New Directions for American Trade|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/29/us/washington-talk-working-profile-clayton-k-yeutter-negotiating-new-directions-for.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|access-date=April 30, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 29, 1988}}</ref>

Along with the Commerce Secretary, [[Malcolm Baldrige, Jr.|Malcolm Baldrige]], and Treasury Secretary, [[James Baker]], Yeutter was accredited with the formulation of a comprehensive US trade policy after his first 4 months in office.<ref name="nyt-19880929"/><ref name="farnsworth1985">Canada. Legislative Assembly. "[http://qp.gov.bc.ca/CMT/36thParl/mai/hansard/t12_1002.htm Special Committee on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706165111/http://qp.gov.bc.ca/CMT/36thParl/mai/hansard/t12_1002.htm |date=July 6, 2011 }}". October 2, 1998.</ref> At this point in time the Reagan administration was faced with mounting pressure from the Congress for protectionist policy that would tackle the mounting international trade deficit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reagan to Nominate Yeutter for Trade Post |author=Ruby Abramson |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-03-fi-28637-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 3, 1985 |access-date=June 2, 2011}}</ref> Additionally, Yeutter faced tense trade negotiations with Japan. In June 1985 Yeutter initiated an investigation based on [[Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974|Section 301]] of the [[1974 Trade Act]] against Japan for unfair barriers to sale of American electronic products.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yeutter began a computer chip investigation |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-15-fi-7747-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 15, 1985 |access-date=June 2, 2011}}</ref> In October Yeutter took similar action against South Korea based on a complaint filed by the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]]. The unfair trade practices outlined in the complaint were exacerbated by at $4 billion trade deficit with South Korea during the previous year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Probe Likely On Korea's Film Curbs |author=Penny Pagano |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-10-25-ca-14424-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 25, 1985 |access-date=June 2, 2011}}</ref>

On February 3, 1987, while discussing the [[Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement]] at a [[Brookings Institution]] seminar, Yeutter was quoted as saying the agreement would risk the loss of Canadian culture.<ref name="farnsworth-19870214">{{cite news|last=Farnsworth|first=Clyde H.|title=A Trade War Veteran With Tales to Tell|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/14/us/washington-talk-working-profile-clayton-k-yeutter-trade-war-veteran-with-tales.html?scp=2&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=April 30, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 14, 1987}}</ref> The statement reflected the Canadian public concern that the free trade agreement would lead to unprecedented American economic and cultural dominance. Although the comment was not notable in the United States, it produced considerable controversy in Canada. In response to the comment [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Brian Mulroney]] stated in the [[Parliament of Canada|Canadian Parliament]] that "his remarks showed a stunning ignorance of Canada".<ref name="nyt-19881215" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Mulroney blasts U.S. envoy|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mb0gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s2kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1086,477732&dq=yeutter&hl=en|access-date=July 18, 2011|newspaper=The Lewiston Journal|date=February 5, 1987}}</ref>

===Secretary of Agriculture===
[[File:President Bush shares the podium with Secretary Yeutter at a briefing of the National Association of Agricultural Journalists in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House.jpg|thumb|left|President Bush and Yeutter at a briefing of the National Association of Agricultural Journalists, in 1990.]]
Yeutter served as [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture]] under [[George H. W. Bush]] from February 1989 until February 1991. His nomination was approved by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on February 9, 1989.<ref>{{cite news|title=Senate Approves Yeutter|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/09/us/senate-approves-yeutter.html?scp=19&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=May 1, 2011|newspaper=Reuters|date=February 9, 1989}}</ref> Yeutter was slightly reluctant to take this new position after enduring the fast pace of United States trade policy, but his fondness for agricultural issues overcame that sentiment.<ref name="nyt-19881215" />

When he took office Yeutter's primary concern was the quinquennial [[United States farm bill|farm bill]]. The previous bill was passed in 1985 and had focused on providing financial support to American farmers. During the early 1980s, a high rate of bankruptcy among farmers prompted the federal government to provide unprecedented subsidies through the [[Food Security Act of 1985]]. The development of what was to become the [[Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990]] was largely influenced by [[Uruguay Round]] negotiations, which Yeutter led as USTR.<ref name="nyt-19881215" /> 
Additionally, the 1990 farm bill removed [[Farm subsidy#United States|United States farm subsidies]] created in the 1985 bill.

===Republican National Committee Chairman===
In January 1991 Yeutter took the place of [[Lee Atwater]] as [[Republican National Committee#Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Republican National Committee|Chairman]] of the [[Republican National Committee]]. Yeutter was elected after George H. W. Bush's first choice for chairman, [[William Bennett]], revoked his initial acceptance of the position due to a potential conflict of interest. The protracted and turbulent process of finding a successor to Atwater was used by Democrats to characterize the Republican party as a fractured organization.<ref>{{cite news|last=Toner|first=Robin|title=On 2d Try, Bush Is Likely to Pick Agriculture Chief to Head G.O.P|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/05/us/on-2d-try-bush-is-likely-to-pick-agriculture-chief-to-head-gop.html?scp=31&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 5, 1991}}</ref> Yeutter's "substantive" leadership style and belief that "good guys finished first, not last," created doubt among some members of the Republican party who preferred Atwater's more hard-edge political style.<ref>{{cite news|last=Toner|first=Robin|title=Yeutter Steps In and Atwater Gets a New Post|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/26/us/yeutter-steps-in-and-atwater-gets-a-new-post.html?scp=8&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 26, 1991}}</ref>

Atwater's illness prevented the Committee from functioning normally. Before Yeutter was selected, fundraising had dropped off substantially and about 25% of staff had been laid off. Once he was elected, Yeutter focused on stabilizing the level of fundraising and winning the nationwide [[Redistricting|redistricting battles]] during 1991.

===Counselor to the President===
On January 31, 1992, President [[George H. W. Bush]] named Yeutter as counselor to the president for domestic policy. Yeutter was replaced by [[Richard Bond (RNC)|Richard Bond]] as [[Republican National Committee#Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Republican National Committee|Chairman]] of the [[Republican National Committee]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bush Moves to Shift RNC Leadership; Yeutter Gets New Post; Longtime Aide Bond Due to Replace Him |author=Ann Devroy; David S. Broder |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 1, 2011 }}</ref> The cabinet-level position was left vacant since [[Edwin Meese III]] held the post under [[Ronald Reagan]]. Unlike Meese's post, Yeutter had additional control over the Bush administration's economic and domestic councils, which formed the cabinet's policy-making apparatus. The additional control was initially opposed by [[Treasury Secretary]] [[Nicholas F. Brady]], who led the economic policy council.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yeutter Offered Top Bush Policy Post As White House Retools for Campaign |author=Ann Devroy |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 25, 1992 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Skinner Still Courting Yeutter for Domestic Policy Post |author=[[Ann Devroy]] |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 31, 1992 }}</ref>

==Later life==
From February 1993, Yeutter split his time working as a senior advisor at [[Hogan Lovells]] (formerly Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.) in Washington D.C. and holding numerous corporate directorships. In March 1997 Yeutter registered to lobby on the [[United States farm bill|farm bill]] for the [[American Farmland Trust]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bottom Line|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/2996-bottom-line/|work=The Hill|access-date=July 18, 2011|date=March 12, 1997}}</ref>

===Corporate directorships===
[[File:20120223-OCE-LSC-0676 (6789842710).jpg|thumb|Yeutter in 2012]]
Yeutter's first major corporate directorship was with [[ConAgra Foods]] while serving as the President and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of the [[Chicago Mercantile Exchange]]. He resigned from the position in 1985 when he became [[Office of the United States Trade Representative|U.S. Trade Representative]]. While serving as [[Republican National Committee#Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Republican National Committee|Chairman]] of the [[Republican National Committee]] Yeutter joined the boards of [[Caterpillar Inc.]] and [[Texas Instruments]]. He resigned from both positions in 1992 when he became Counselor to the President. Yeutter was reinstated to the boards of [[ConAgra Foods]], [[Caterpillar Inc.]] and [[Texas Instruments]] in 1993 and served on all three until he hit the maximum age limit for board members.

After leaving public service in 1993 Yeutter served as the director of Danielson Holding Corporation and America First. Additionally, he served as [[Chairman|Chairman of the Board]] of [[Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company|Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.]] and CropSolutions, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cato.org/people/clayton-yeutter |title=Clayton Yeutter: Advisor, Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies |work=CATO Institute |access-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref> He previously served on the board of directors of Coventa Holding Corp., [[Chicago Climate Exchange]], [[FMC Corporation]], [[British American Tobacco|B.A.T. Industries]] and later American Commercial Lines Inc., Covanta Holding Corporation, and [[Weyerhaeuser]]. Yeutter currently serves on the board of directors of Neogen Corporation and Burlington Capital Group.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |url=https://people.forbes.com/profile/clayton-k-yeutter/4264 |title=Clayton K. Yeutter Profile |work=Forbes |access-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730051252/http://people.forbes.com/profile/clayton-k-yeutter/4264 |archive-date=July 30, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Yeutter is also an owner of the Keating Network LLC, a company designed to help small and medium-sized businesses.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keating|first=Howard|title=Keating Network|url=http://www.keatingnetwork.com/|access-date=June 25, 2012}}</ref>

==Family and personal life==

[[File:Gravesite of United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Clayton Yeutter in Section 66 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., April 18, 2024.jpg|thumb|Grave at Arlington National Cemetery]]
After graduating from the [[University of Nebraska]], in 1952, Yeutter married his first wife, Jeanne Vierk, with whom he had four children, Brad Yeutter, Gregg Yeutter, Kim (Yeutter) Bottimore, and Van Yeutter.<ref name="nyt-19881215" />{{failed verification|date=June 2015}} Vierk served as the informal Chairman of the Cabinet Wives Group during the President [[George H. W. Bush#Presidency (1989–1993)|George H. W. Bush administration]].

Two years after Jeanne's death, Yeutter married Cristena Bach. Bach had served in several politically appointed positions during the [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] and [[George H. W. Bush#Presidency (1989–1993)|Bush]] administration, including a stint on the White House staff under President Reagan. They adopted three daughters: Victoria Yeutter, Elena Yeutter, and Olivia Yeutter.

Yeutter's grandson, Andrew Bottimore, worked on the U.S. Trade Representative team covering private sector engagement regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Yeutter died on March 4, 2017, at his home in [[Potomac, Maryland]], from colon cancer. He was 86.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/clayton-yeutter-former-u-s-secretary-of-agriculture-and-native/article_1e4d3a82-0134-11e7-afd4-230f68166c6b.html |title=Clayton Yeutter, former U.S. secretary of agriculture and native Nebraskan, dies at 86 &#124; Nebraska |website=Omaha.com |date=2017-03-05 |access-date=2017-05-30}}</ref>

==Honors and awards==
Yeutter received [[Doctorate#Honorary doctorates|honorary doctorate degrees]] from [[Clemson University]], [[DePaul University]], [[Georgetown University]], [[Nebraska Wesleyan University]], [[Santa Clara University]], [[University of Arizona]], [[University of Maryland Eastern Shore]] and the [[University of Nebraska]].

Yeutter was made an Honorary Officer of the [[New Zealand Order of Merit]] in the [[2012 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2012 New Year Honours]], for services to [[New Zealand–United States relations]].<ref name="DMPC_NYHonours2012">{{cite web | url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2012 | title=New Year honours list 2012|date=31 December 2011 | publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref>

Yeutter received a statue at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in September 2014 for his accomplishment of being Secretary of Agriculture after graduating from the school. It is found in the Jeanne Yeutter Garden (named after his first wife) on the East campus.

Yeutter was named an Honorary Member of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) in 1990. He also was the E.T. & Vam York ASA Distinguished Keynote lecturer, who in his remarks at the 2002 ASA Annual Meeting stressed links between agricultural science, the world economy, and the global food supply.

==Works==
*{{cite news|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton K.|title=When 'Fairness' Isn't Fair|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/24/opinion/when-fairness-isn-t-fair.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 24, 1992}}
*{{cite news|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton|title=Cancun – the Heavy Lifting Lies Ahead|url=http://www.cordellhullinstitute.org/policy/Yeutter.pdf|date=September 8, 2003|agency=Cordell Hull Institute}}
*{{cite journal|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton|title=Cancun: Now What?|journal=The Chain Letter|date=October 2003|volume=2|issue=4|url=https://www.ifama.org/publications/chainletter/cmsdocs/v2i4.PDF|page=2|publisher=International Food and Agribusiness Management Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004163331/https://www.ifama.org/publications/chainletter/cmsdocs/v2i4.PDF|archive-date=October 4, 2011|df=mdy-all}}
*{{cite news|title=Doha deal can be struck beyond Hong Kong|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/fb8c2514-6cd2-11da-90c2-0000779e2340.html|newspaper=London Financial Times|date=December 14, 2005|author=Clayton Yeutter|author2=Warren Maruyama}}
*{{cite news|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton|title=KORUS – Are There Shortcomings? Let's Fix Them|url=http://www.hoganlovells.com/files/Publication/46abef70-8da2-4191-a335-cef7b2ce3500/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/44c8edc5-88f3-4ed7-bc55-d7c43328a204/Yeutter.pdf|newspaper=Law360|date=July 14, 2010|agency=Portfolio Media Inc.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120001930/http://www.hoganlovells.com/files/Publication/46abef70-8da2-4191-a335-cef7b2ce3500/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/44c8edc5-88f3-4ed7-bc55-d7c43328a204/Yeutter.pdf|archive-date=January 20, 2012|df=mdy-all}}
*{{cite news|title=Japan at a Trade Crossroads|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704243904575629912190935390|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 22, 2010|author=Clayton Yeutter|author2=Warren Maruyama}}
*{{cite news|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton|title=The Trans Pacific Partnership Needs Japan|url=http://www.law360.com/articles/211840/the-trans-pacific-partnership-needs-japan|newspaper=Law360|date=December 1, 2010|agency=Portfolio Media Inc.}}
*{{cite web|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton|title=Don't let America lose its agricultural edge|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/96158-dont-let-america-lose-its-agricultural-edge/|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|publisher=The Hill's Congress Blog|date=July 12, 2011}}
*{{cite web|last=Yeutter|first=Clayton|title=Is WTO ready for Russian bear?|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59205_Page2.html|work=Politico|date=July 17, 2011}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Additional sources===
<!-- Sources found online that aren't get referenced in the article. -->
*{{cite news|last=Farnsworth|first=Clyde H.|title=Clayton K. Yeutter; On the Front Lines in the Trade Wars|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/15/us/washington-talk-working-profile-clayton-k-yeutter-front-lines-trade-wars.html?scp=5&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 15, 1986}}
*{{cite news|last=Boyd|first=Gerald M.|title=Reagan Picks New Trade Chief|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/03/business/reagan-picks-new-trade-chief.html?scp=29&sq=clayton+yeutter&st=nyt|access-date=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 3, 1985}}
*{{cite news|last=Greenaway|first=Norma|title=Macdonald despairs of U.S. trade stance|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F68yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ku8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2360,1064594&dq=yeutter&hl=en|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=February 4, 1987|location=Washington}}
*{{cite news|last=Raum|first=Tom|title=Reagan, Bentsen compete on trade|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O7krAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5170,2285588&dq=yeutter&hl=en|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=February 8, 1987|location=Washington}}
*{{cite news|last=Ferguson|first=John|title=Honeymoon definitely over for loud-mouthed Yeutter|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GK8yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ku8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5518,2424921&dq=yeutter&hl=en|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=February 5, 1987}}
*{{cite news|last=Fotheringham|first=Allan|title=Canadians alerted to free-trade farce|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gq8yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ku8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4549,3087621&hl=en|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=February 7, 1987}}
*{{cite news|last=Jane|first=Taber|title=U.S. official's trade remarks infuriate PM|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GK8yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ku8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2728,1945334&dq=yeutter&hl=en|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=February 5, 1987}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120929095526/http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/bush/essays/cabinet/693 Biography] at the [[Miller Center of Public Affairs]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110614112410/http://www.hoganlovells.com/clayton-yeutter/ Profile] at [[Hogan Lovells]]
*[http://finance.senate.gov/library/hearings/download/?id=bfc01d33-660c-49ec-bd9c-2d855d7e7b22 Yeutter's USTR Nomination Hearing] on the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Senate Finance Committee]] Website
*{{C-SPAN}}
*[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/Cgd5ZXV0dGVyEgdjbGF5dG9u/ Arlington National Cemetery]

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Republican National Committee]]|years=1991–1992}}
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